Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Michigan in May

35 reptiles and amphibians are active in Michigan in May, and 30 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Green Frog, Painted Turtle, and Common Garter Snake.

Counted from iNaturalist research-grade observations recorded inside Michigan. Seasons shift across the state, so for a closer match, pick your ecoregion.

Full 12-month Michigan calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Michigan, by group and month

Group
Snakes	1	7	11	13	13	13	12	12	8	4	1
Lizards		1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Turtles	1	4	6	6	6	6	6	6	6
Frogs and Toads	2	8	8	9	8	8	8	8	7	6
Salamanders	2	6	6	6	5	5	5	6	5	2

Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).

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At peak in May 30

Snakes

peak

SnakesButler's Garter SnakeThamnophis butleri

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern FoxsnakePantherophis vulpinus

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

peak

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

peak

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersBlue-spotted SalamanderAmbystoma laterale

peak

SalamandersCommon MudpuppyNecturus maculosus

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

Shoulder season in May 5

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWestern Chorus FrogPseudacris triseriata

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

Peak and shoulder ratings are rough guidance, not a schedule. Weather, elevation and the year can shift any species by weeks.

Rare and protected species are left off on purpose. Look, don't take, and never handle a venomous snake.

Michigan in May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Michigan in May?

35 reptiles and amphibians are active in Michigan in May, and 30 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Green Frog, Painted Turtle, and Common Garter Snake.

Are venomous snakes active in Michigan in May?

No venomous snakes on this list are active in Michigan in May.